HILLSBORO, Ore. — The Pacific Lutheran University women's cross country squad looks to move up the standings this fall after being selected eighth in the annual Northwest Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll on Wednesday. 
 
The Lutes tallied 18 points in the poll, sitting eighth and owning a six-point buffer over ninth place Linfield University. PLU was seven points shy of seventh-ranked Lewis & Clark College.
 
George Fox University is the heavy favorite with 63 points and seven of the nine first place endorsements. Whitworth University is second with 58 points and the remaining two first place votes. 
 
Crosstown rival University of Puget Sound is third with 46 points while Pacific University sits fourth with 38 points. Whitman College is fifth with 33 points, enjoying a slim two-point edge on sixth-ranked Willamette University.

Pacific Lutheran laces up the spikes for the first time on Sept. 4, racing at the Lewis & Clark XC Opener at McIver State Park. The Lutes host the PLU Invitational on Sept. 19 and returns to Oregon on Oct. 31 for the NWC Championships.